Feb. 8
08:30 am JST

Both sets of members agreed that the revision should not affect the existing two paragraphs of Article 9, particularly the second paragraph that states Japan shall not maintain "land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential."

Which is funny, because they've already been maintaining all those things since decades ago.

Feb. 8
08:49 am JST

Which is funny, because they've already been maintaining all those things since decades ago.

The JSDF is part of the police forces of Japan, and police are there for self-defense, not for initiating war. This is why they have been able to maintain defense forces while not contravening the constitution.

Feb. 8
10:07 am JST

Feb. 8
11:35 am JST

The JSDF is part of the police forces of Japan, and police are there for self-defense, not for initiating war.

They can label it what ever they want. They can even put "Research" on the side their helicopter carrier. The fact is, those war machines aren't there for catching drunk drivers. They always had the ability to wage war with the equipment they always had.

Feb. 8
02:19 pm JST

Para second of Art 9 of Japan's Pacifist Constitution is wholly responsible for keeping in a very weak position during the last 70 years after its humiliating imposition on Japan after WW2. It should be removed from the constitution at the earliest and people of Japan should approve its deletion during the referendum to strengthen the hands of PM Abe to make Japan a very strong and powerful country in Asia Pacific region.

Feb. 8
06:13 pm JST

Japan, you waited until China had nukes and you did nothing about it. Russia has nukes and took your islands at the end of WW2, now even a poor backwards country like North Korea has nukes and has threatened Japan with nuclear destruction!

If you want to prevent another Hiroshima or Nagasaki then it's time to acquire this weapons as well! Your pacifist way will lead you to another Nuke with millions of Japanese Dead and injured. Time to wake up!

Feb. 8
11:16 pm JST

Feb. 9
12:20 am JST

StrangerlandFeb. 8 08:49 am JST

Which is funny, because they've already been maintaining all those things since decades ago.

The JSDF is part of the police forces of Japan, and police are there for self-defense, not for initiating war. This is why they have been able to maintain defense forces while not contravening the constitution.

Incorrect. While it is true that the United States forced Japan to create the forerunner of the SDF, the National Police Reserve in 1950 to make up for the US troops in Japan that were deployed to the Korean Peninsula, the JSDF was established in 1954 entirely under the Defense Agency which later became the Ministry of Defense. The JSDF has no connection to the National Police Agency and issues of "self defense" are solely constitutional ones.